GrillClean, a barbeque grill cleaning system

ABSTRACT

GrillClean is a new method of cleaning the cooking grid of an outdoor barbeque grill. Rather than the usual method of scraping the debris from the grid while it is on the cooking unit, causing the debris to fall into the unit, this device involves removing the cooking grid from the grill and immersing it in a water bath with scrub brushes and scrub pads along with spray nozzles of water, resulting in a more complete cleaning in a much shorter period of time. This is because both sides of the grid are being cleaned at the same time with brushes and scrub pads the full width of the cooking grid and at the same time the grid is being immersed in a water bath and then rinsed by a spray as it is removed.

This invention is a device used for the cleaning of the homeowner'sbarbeque grill cooking grid.

The device can be constructed of various materials such as metal,fiberglass, or plastic. It consists of an upright rectangular shapedwater bath into which the soiled barbeque cooking grid will be immersedfor cleaning. It includes water spray nozzles, scrub pads and scrubbrushes to enhance the cleaning procedure.

Outdoor cooking on a barbeque has become very popular but there has beena persistent problem of having a dirty cooking grid whenever starting tocook. Several cleaning devices have been made but they all involvescraping or brushing the debris off the cooking grid where it then fallsinto the grill where it accumulates, risking a fiery flare-up. There isalways some residual soot which is then transferred to the food that isplaced on the grill.

This device is designed to clean the cooking grid more efficiently byhaving the cooking grid removed from the cooking unit and placed intothe Grillclean device where scrub brushes and scrub pads along withwater jets and a water bath quickly and effectively remove the charreddebris with the waste being discarded in the water.

The device consists of an upright rectangular container havingapproximate dimensions of 20 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 2 inchesdeep. Near the top on one end is an inlet nozzle where a standard gardenhose connection can be made. This then connects to a tube along theinside of the device which provides spray nozzles directed into thedevice to spray onto the cooking grid as it is initially inserted intoand then withdrawn from the device. Along the side walls of the devicethere are also scrub brushes and scrub pads which further aid in theremoval of debris from the grid. There is another outlet valve andnozzle near the bottom on one end, which serves as a drain. This alsohas the standard hose thread so that a hose can be attached to directthe soiled water away from the unit and into a receptacle or perhapsinto a garden area. This drain can also be left closed, and the devicecan be carried to another location to dispose of the soiled water.

To effect the cleaning of the grid, one simply removes the cooking gridfrom the cooking unit and inserts the grid into the cleaning device inmuch the same way a piece of bread is inserted into a toaster andgenerally with one or two up and down movements, similar to the cleaningaction of a plunger style golf ball cleaner, the grid is effectivelycleaned and then removed and placed back on the cooking unit.

It is anticipated that the device will be constructed of metal, mostlikely stainless steel, although it could also be constructed offiberglass, plastic or composite materials. Additional features of thedevice would include support legs so that the unit can stand upright ona flat surface, with the option of a mounting bracket to allow thedevice to be attached to a wall or deck railing. Also, one side of theunit would feature a dropdown hinged portion that would then facilitatechanging of the scrub pads and scrub brushes.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: This depicts a front angle view with a cutaway to show thedetail inside.

FIG. 2: This is another cutaway view from the end to show how the gridwould slide into the unit and the relationship of the scrub pads andbrushes to the grid.

FIG. 3: This shows the three flat views with approximate dimensions,including; 3(a) a view of the top of the unit, 3(b) the end of the unit,3(c) the side of the unit

1. This device involves a unique new way of cleaning the outdoorbarbeque grill. It is the first to feature removing the grid to place itinto the cleaning device and incorporates water and mechanical friction(the pads and brushes) to accomplish a more complete cleaning, withoutthe accumulation of debris in the cooking unit.